Rehabilitation implications of stepper exercise technique on exertion and hip extensor muscle activation-A small exploratory study

Abstract

Abstract-This study evaluated which of two different stairstepping techniques produced a higher level of perceived physical exertion and whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify gluteus maximus activation during stepper exercise and/ or differences in gluteus maximus activation between exercise techniques. The study was a prospective, single-blind, randomized, two-period, crossover trial. The stair-stepping techniques were 15-minute sessions of (1) short steps with arms unsupported (Short) or (2) full steps with arms supported (Full). The main outcomes measured were time to reach a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 13, StairMaster console intensity level, volunteers' judgment as the most strenuous technique, and gluteus maximus MRI signal intensity. We found that participants performing the Short exercise technique reached an RPE of 13 sooner (mean difference 105 +/-54 seconds, p = 0.04) and were unable to reach higher StairMaster intensity levels (mean difference 2.7 +/-0.2, p < 0.001). Eighty-three percent of subjects declared the Short technique more demanding (p = 0.002). For both group sessions, the MRI signal after exercise was higher than at rest (p < 0.001). We found no MRI differences between stepping techniques. Rehabilitation and conditioning programs may benefit from the Short technique because it is perceived as a more challenging physical training activity; MRI can be used to identify metabolic muscle activation during aerobic exercise.

Stair Descending Exercise Using a Novel Automatic Escalator: Effects on Muscle Performance and Health-Related Parameters

“…Several research groups have investigated the effects of stair ascending exercise on rehabilitation from injuries and health [47], [48], [49], [50], [51]. To our knowledge, stair descending exercise has been used as a tool to assess muscle function and performance and not as a mode of exercise [52], [53], [54], [55], [56].…”

Effects of Abdominal Hollowing During Stair Climbing on the Activations of Local Trunk Stabilizing Muscles: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Furthermore, it has many benefits; it improves cardiorespiratory fitness [5], bone mineral density [6], and balance, helps prevent falls, and prolongs independence [7]. Previous studies have described the effects of stair climbing on mean electromyographic activities of lower extremity and pelvic muscles [8,9]. However, the effects of stair climbing on trunk muscles remain unclear.…”

Correlation Analysis of Oxygen Consumptions Between Stepper and Treadmill Movements and Implication for Rehabilitation

“…It is an apparatus found to be very useful for rehabilitation by many researchers [2,4,11,15,16]. There have been a number of studies done on stepper to assess the feasibility for rehabilitation, however, most of them were limited to using electromyography (EMG) which has been considered as the most useful method to measure the muscle activity [15]. However, a few researchers stated that the EMG assessment is limited to the location of the muscles selected.…”

“…In the situation with deeper muscles containing high threshold motor units the assessment through EMG gets limited in comparison to the ne low threshold motor units. This suggests that there is a need for other ways to nd the muscle activity which is the starting point for rehabilitation [15].…”